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The ESO said in a statement: “The central area of RCW 38 is visible here as a bright, blue-tinted region, an area inhabited by numerous very young stars and protostars that are still in the process of forming.

“The intense radiation pouring out from these newly born stars causes the surrounding gas to glow brightly.

“This is in stark contrast to the streams of cooler cosmic dust winding through the region, which glow gently in dark shades of red and orange.

Here are breathtaking images taken from and of space, along with some of the greatest discoveries known to mankind.

The RCW 38 photograph comes as part of a series of test observations to verify the HAWK-I and GRAAL module’s capabilities.

The image can now help scientist expand their understanding of how stars are born.

The ESO is one of Europe’s leading astronomical organisation with 15 member states including the UK, Poland, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Very Large Telescope is housed in Chile, the ESO’s host state, and the Observatory is also partnered with Australia.